People are being encouraged to have their say on proposed roading changes around the new Dunedin Hospital before the opportunity for feedback closes next week.

Earlier this month, New Zealand Transport Agency Waka Kotahi (NZTA) released its proposed changes to State Highway 1 Cumberland Street and State Highway 88 St Andrew Street to reshape travel in the Dunedin CBD and achieve safe and efficient access to the new hospital.

The proposed roading changes, developed in partnership with Dunedin City Council after previous rounds of community feedback, can be viewed in detail here. The opportunity for people to comment on the proposed changes ends on Monday 28 July.

Proposed roading changes include the following:

• A new Barnes Dance crossing (where all pedestrians cross the road at once) at the SH88 St Andrew Street/SH1 Cumberland Street intersection to help people reach the hospital public entrances safely.
• Removal of the westbound right turn from SH88 St Andrew Street onto SH1 Cumberland Street to make space and time for the increased number of pedestrians, including people with mobility needs, to cross the road.
• Two new signalised pedestrian crossings on SH1 outside the Woolworths and the Centre City New World supermarkets.
• Changes to St Andrew Street and other nearby streets to help people driving, walking and cycling, and emergency vehicles, move safely and smoothly around the hospital and surrounding area.
• Frederick Street will become the new SH88, moving right turning traffic from St Andrew Street to other streets.

Acting Director of Regional Relationships for NZTA, Ian Duncan, says the public feedback on the proposed changes will need to be considered before any work on the affected streets take place over the next few years.

“It presents an exciting opportunity to reshape the transport infrastructure to best serve the community, and we encourage people to have their say on what is proposed.”

Health New Zealand says with the new Dunedin Hospital Outpatient Building set to open in late 2026, and the Inpatient Building following in 2031, it is committed to supporting a health precinct that serves the needs of staff, patients, whānau, and the wider community.

“We are working closely with NZTA to improve safety and accessibility around St Andrew and Cumberland Streets,” says Health New Zealand Southern Interim Group Director of Operations Craig Ashton.

“This collaboration is vital to ensure safe and efficient access to the New Dunedin Hospital for emergency services, staff, patients, and visitors.”

People can view the full proposed changes and give their feedback via an online form here.

Printed material with the proposed changes and feedback forms can be found at Dunedin City Council libraries and service centres, and those not online can send their feedback to NZTA by post.

Plan for a safe, enjoyable journey. Keep up to date with:

• Traffic updates: journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
• Facebook NZTA Otago & Southland: https://www.facebook.com/nztaos/
• X NZTA: x.com/nztamain
• Instagram: instagram.com/nztransportagency
• TikTok: tiktok.com/@nztransportagency
• Journey planner: journeys.nzta.govt.nz
• Phone: 0800 4 HIGHWAYS (0800 44 44 49)

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